Hall, Quentin homer as ChiSox batter Pirates 8-2

[June 19, 2008]  CHICAGO (AP) -- Toby Hall hit his first home run in two years and Carlos Quentin slugged his 17th this season to back Mark Buehrle's strong outing and power the Chicago White Sox to an 8-2 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday night.

Buehrle lost a no-hit bid in the sixth when Jose Bautista homered on the first pitch.

Brian Anderson added his third homer and Nick Swisher hit a two-run double in the easy victory, a day after the White Sox's 16-5 win over the visiting Pirates, who can't seem to win on either side of the Windy City.

The White Sox won their second straight and improved to 6-2 in interleague play and 23-11 at home. The Pirates lost for the seventh time in eight games this season in Chicago, and have dropped four of their last five overall.

The right-handed hitting Hall, a backup catcher starting against left-hander Tom Gorzelanny, hit a shot into the bullpen in left to give the White Sox a 2-0 lead in the second. It was his first homer since June 4, 2006, when he was with Tampa Bay.

Quentin homered in the fifth to end a 1-for-18 slump and Anderson hit one to left in the sixth.

Jim Thome hit a bloop single to center that scored Orlando Cabrera in the seventh, and Swisher drove in two more.

Buehrle, who pitched the White Sox's last no-hitter on April 18, 2007, retired the first 12 before walking Jason Bay to lead off the fifth, but got a double play and a flyout to end the inning. The next inning Bautista hit his seventh homer, going deep for the second straight game and third time in four games. Chris Gomez followed with a single before Buehrle escaped with no more damage.

Buehrle (4-6) won his second straight decision, giving up two runs on four hits and two walks in eight innings. He struck out three and threw only 96 pitches.

Gorzelanny (5-6), from nearby Evergreen Park, Ill., gave up four runs on five hits in six innings. He is 0-3 in Chicago this season.

Pirates second baseman Luis Rivas added a run-scoring single in the eighth, but dropped Alexei Ramirez's popup near first in the bottom of the inning, allowing Juan Uribe to score from second with two outs.

Notes: White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said DH Thome might play some first base during interleague play at Wrigley Field this weekend because regular 1B Paul Konerko is on the DL. Swisher has been filling in at first. ... The White Sox have already signed four of their top five draft picks, including GM Kenny Williams' son, Kenny Jr., a sixth-round choice, and 19 picks total. Their top pick, Georgia SS Gordon Beckham, is still playing in the College World Series.

[Associated Press; By JIMMY GOLEN]

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